Improvement in dressing hides and furs



GHARLES I. WESTON, OF GUMMINGTON, MASSAGHUSETTS.

Letters Patent No 76,015, dated JlIarch 24, 1 868.

IMPROVEMENT IN DRESSING HIDES AND FURS.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, CHARLES I. WESTON, of Oummington, Hampshire county, of State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Composition and Method of Tanning Hides, Dressing For, &c.-; and do hereby declare that the following is a full and clear description thereof. I

This invention is a practical and convenient method by which farmers and others may, at a short notice, tan their own hides and dresstheir own furs as their requirements may demand.

The composition is a convenient one, being composed of articles nearly all of which are found upon every farm, and the other can be found at any village apothecary-shop. They consist of. the following articles in about the named proportions: New milk, one quart; wheat flour, one quart; barley-meal, half a pint; oatmeal, half a pint; corn, one pint; sal-soda, ouc ounce; cream-tartar, one ounce; salt, one pint; oil of vitriol,

one ounce. These are mixed up carefully and thoroughly into a paste of the consistency of white lead when mixed, so that it can be easily spread upon a flat surface.

The process of applying this paste is as follows: In dressing hides, the sides, having the hair first removed, are stretched upon a convenient stretcher, leaving the fleshy sidefor operation. 'The'paste, before mentioned, is then spread upon the fleshy side of the hide, and allowed to dry as it is left spread, in the thickness of about the eighth of an inch. When it has dried sufficiently, the hide is taken from the stretcher, workcd over abeam with afiesh knife until it is quite soft and fit for use. It may then be used immediately, if desired, as

it will be quite cured. Furs are dressed in the same manner, except that the hair is left on.

In coloring the fursand leather black, I use the following, ingredients mixed to a liquid consistency: Nitrate of silver, one ounce; antimony, one ounce; gunpowder, one pint; about a pint of water. This liquid is applied to the fur or skin with a brush, and rubbed until dry, when the process is completed.

By this means, I obtain a simple and cifective composition for farmers use, and one that may be mixed up at the required time without wasteaccomplishing its work immediately.

Now, having described my invention, what I claim as new, andvdesire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1. For tanning-composite, the combination of the ingredients herein named, when applied substantially in the manner and for the purpose set-forth.

2. The composition herein named for coloring fursand leather, substantially as shown and described. 0. I. WESTON.

Witnesses:

ALMON .MITCHELL,

NATHAN Oncorr. 

